Castle Church in Wittenburg.
Inselheim Altarpiece.
Whole article can be found here:
A Defense of Beauty: Lutherans and Church Art
A Defense of Beauty: Lutherans and Church Art -- Great Article
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Castle Church in Wittenburg.
Inselheim Altarpiece.
Whole article can be found here:
A Defense of Beauty: Lutherans and Church Art
- Apr 30, 2013
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Sadly, in the US, my experience is that many Lutherans just don't care about art and aesthetics that much. Episcopalians seem more attuned to that. Art and aesthetics evokes concerns beyond the merely pragmatic. Most Lutherans in the US have the IKEA type attitude about liturgy, religious art, and archtitecture- "Is it functional?"
Perhaps its also an issue of class. Most Lutherans in the US gravitate towards professions that do not pay as well, and our interests in education are likewise mostly restricted to the pragmatic. So you don't find alot of interest in the humanities. At my church, which is mostly elderly, there are a preponderance of police, soldiers, engineers, and teachers. But no professors and no genuinely wealthy people, and those types of people are necessary for sustaining a flourishing aesthetic sensibility. So most Lutherans in the US simply blend into mainline Protestantism when it comes to aesthetics.
Perhaps its also an issue of class. Most Lutherans in the US gravitate towards professions that do not pay as well, and our interests in education are likewise mostly restricted to the pragmatic. So you don't find alot of interest in the humanities. At my church, which is mostly elderly, there are a preponderance of police, soldiers, engineers, and teachers. But no professors and no genuinely wealthy people, and those types of people are necessary for sustaining a flourishing aesthetic sensibility. So most Lutherans in the US simply blend into mainline Protestantism when it comes to aesthetics.
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No, but there has been influences in the past. Statues, stained glass and icons are not uncommon here in Ontario; but among some cultural Lutherans Pietism and crypto-Calvinist influences have reflected a more "protestant" approach.
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Art is a gift from God. Our church is rather plain, but has beautiful wood-work, a beautiful crucifix and candle stands, sacred vessels, paraments, linens and throughout our Church, Icons and other religious art are hung. Our basement Chapel has icons and a reproduction of the Altar piece from St. Mary's Church in Wittenburg:
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Athanasias
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This is excellent! I was talking to a rather robust Calvinist today who swears all images and statues are offensive to God. He could benefit so much from this article and the images themselves.
Castle Church in Wittenburg.
Inselheim Altarpiece.
Whole article can be found here:
A Defense of Beauty: Lutherans and Church Art
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Babe Ruth
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76, 'Pay as well' as what (?) Professions within other Christian denominations (?)
Could you cite a source showing that Lutheran median household incomes are toward the low end of Christian' household incomes (if that's what you're stating).
Incidentally, hope everyone @ CF had a good Thanksgiving..
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They aren't particularly high or low, very middling.
How income varies among U.S. religious groups
The ELCA has 26 percent of its members that make over 100,000 a year in household income. The LCMS is 22. This compares to 35 percent in the Episcopal church and 32 percent among Presbyterians.
We are most similarly economically to United Methodists, another middling group that is very centrist and doesn't have alot of salient features in terms of demographics.
Here's another article by Mark Noll talking about Lutherans' place in American culture. Noll is of course coming from a Reformed perspective, so he is puzzled by the (relative) lack of emphasis among Lutherans in rigorous cultural engagement.
The Lutheran Difference
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Babe Ruth
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The 2016 Pew Research u cite has Evangelical Lutherans toward the high(er) end of Christian denominations listed. (I count them as #5 of Christian denominations, with 14 below them.. if my count was correct.) And they have one of the lowest % below 30K a year. I wouldn't characterize that as middling.. & I'm still not sure what your original, generalized assertion was.. Lutherans gravitate toward professions that don't pay as well..
Pay as well as what (specifically) ?
The tone of your post is that Lutherans are low-paid Philistines. I won't challenge your comment that Lutherans don't 'care about art', because u concede that's your subjective opinion. But your implication that Lutherans aren't generally well-paid (& low class.. ie-'an issue of class') has now been altered/upgraded to 'middling'. I think the research u cited refutes your original assertion, not sure why u posted it thinking it helps your initial opinion (?) Peace.
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Pay as well as a sense of satisfaction and a mentality of dedicated vocation.
I'm a process Engineer, I could earn more working elsewhere within a 45 minute drive from home. Instead, I choose to remain where I am. Why? 5 minute drive; fair (if not excessive) pay; good support and good colleagues in my department; good support and good colleagues in other departments; good, safe working conditions; very challenging, interesting work, and more work than I will ever be able to complete in two life times (job security). Stress? Lots of that to, but a big investment gives big returns in job satisfaction!
Yup, we are a bit different; Pragmatic is a good description of professional Lutherans.
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Lutheran artists seem more common in countries with historic state churches.
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